FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to subscriber units utilized in communication
systems and, in particular, to transfer of information to subscriber units utilized
in such communication systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Communications systems, and more particularly cellular radiotelephone systems such
as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Digital Cellular System, are
known to include a variety of services that each cellular user can subscribe to for
a fee. The information regarding the identity of each user (subscriber identity) and
the services that he/she subscribes to are maintained in a centralized database, for
example a Home Location Register (HLR) in GSM. Each cellular provider may have one
or more of its own HLRs, however, the information specific to each cellular user is
contained in only one HLR. As users travel between different geographical areas, key
portions of this information are transfered upon request to a local database, for
example a Visited Location Register (VLR) in GSM. Each subscriber unit also contains
the subscriber identity that identifies a particular user. Each time a user attempts
to place a cellular phone call, the subscriber identity and the services being requested
are communicated between the subscriber unit and the local VLR via the radiotelephone
network. It is the responsibility of the VLR to validate the subscriber's request
against subscription services that were previously arranged. This may require the
VLR to request a transfer of subscription services from the subscriber's HLR. If the
subscriber can be identified as a valid subscriber of the requested services, then
the setup of the phone call is permitted to continue.
[0003] As is also known, each subscriber unit has a unique equipment number associated with
it. Early cellular radiotelephone systems required that the subscriber only be permitted
to use one radio to place phone calls. Therefore, a verification was performed to
ensure that the equipment number matched the subscriber identity. This coupling of
the equipment number with the subscriber identity was intended to limit fraud by preventing
the same subscriber identity from being replicated. More mature radiotelephone systems
(such as the GSM system) now offer the user the flexibility of transferring the subscriber
identity from one radiotelephone unit to another using "smart card" technology. Additional
security measures were implemented that require authentication of the subscriber identity,
thus preventing the fraud of replication. Therefore, in mature radiotelephone systems
such as GSM, the equipment number is not required to match the subscriber identity
for fraud prevention purposes.
[0004] Current smart cards are small and lightweight (i.e. similar to a credit card), and,
as the name implies, contain a computer and memory enabling subscriber information
to be transfered from the smart card to the subscriber unit. As long as the smart
card is inserted in the subscriber unit, the subscriber is able to communicate the
subscriber identity and requested service to the radiotelephone network for validation
when the subscriber desires to place a phone call. Unfortunately, the requirement
for the smart card to be inserted in the subscriber unit in order to complete a phone
call provides significant opportunity for the smart card to be forgotten and left
in the subscriber unit. If forgotten in the subscriber unit, the above precautions
taken for fraud prevention become moot if the subscriber unit ends up in the hands
of an undesired user.
[0005] To the average consumer, radiotelephone services (such as cellular) offer desired
services that can be expensive if more than one subscriber identity is required. The
current methods described above to prevent fraud can be considered too inflexible
to permit cooperating customers to share a subscriber identity. For example, two cooperating
customers having different requirements for the time of usage of a subscriber identity
could maximize the use of the subscriber identity by sharing it using a prearranged
schedule. The current fraud protection techniques prohibit efficient use of the subscriber
identity.
[0006] WO 92/16078 discloses a mobile telephone which has an on-board computer which computes
and stores telephone usage and control information such as charges. Time and charge
limits can be set for the telephone. The telephone can be set to disable itself for
all or a selected category of incoming and outgoing calls after the passage of a pre-determined
time, and/or when the total usage charges reach a pre-determined maximum. The limits
can be set and adjusted remotely.
[0007] US 5,138,650 discloses a method of handling a charge authorization in a cordless
phone, wherein a memory in the cordless phone is credited by a value representing
a purchased amount prior to a usage of the cordless phone. The usage of the cordless
phone is allowed depending on that value which is debited during the usage of the
cordless phone.
[0008] Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus to temporarily transfer the subscriber
identity from a subscriber unit, such as a radiotelephone unit, as well as a negotiated
agreement for how long the receiving subscriber unit would keep the transferred subscriber
identity. For that duration of time, the receiving subscriber unit would become enabled
with the subscriber identity while the transmitting subscriber unit (e.g. Smart Card)
would become unusable for that duration of time. Further, such a method and apparatus
would permit activation times that were not immediate nor contiguous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a smart card, as claimed in claim
1.
[0010] In a further aspect, the present invention provides apparatus, as claimed in claim
6.
[0011] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of temporarily transferring
a subscriber unit identity from a smart card to a communication device for a predetermined
time period, as claimed in claim 7.
[0012] Further aspects are as claimed in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
FIG. 1 generally depicts a smart card having a time-of-day clock and calendar in accordance
with the invention.
FIG. 2 generally depicts a subscriber unit having a swipe slot to accept a smart card
utilized to activate a subscriber unit in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 3 generally depicts a subscriber unit having an insert slot to accept a smart
card utilized to activate a subscriber unit in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 4 generally depicts, in flow diagram form, the steps taken by a subscriber to
activate the subscriber unit of FIG. 2 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 5 generally depicts, in flow diagram form, the steps taken by a subscriber to
activate the device of FIG. 3 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 6 depicts a beneficial implementation of a smart card having a time-of-day clock
and calendar in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] A smart card 100 is equipped with an internal time-of-day clock and calendar 106.
Between the smart card 100 and a device (subscriber unit 209, 300), into which it
is inserted, there is a communication of the subscriber's identity and a negotiated
agreement for how long the subscriber unit 209, 300 is to maintain the transferred
identity. For that duration of time, the subscriber unit 209, 300 is enabled with
the subscriber's identity, and the smart card is essentially "dumb," and therefore
unusable until that duration has elapsed. This feature prevents the problem of simultaneous
use and duplicated identities.
[0015] In general terms, a method of transferring information to a device comprises the
steps of providing the information to the device and allowing the device to utilize
the information for a predetermined time period. The information can be related to,
inter alia, the device's ability to access the communication system in which the device
is utilizing, and to the device's identity. In the preferred embodiment, the information
is provided by a smart card having an internal clock or timer, but in alternate embodiments
the information may be provided by either a wireless link or a wired link. In the
alternate embodiment scenario, the information may be further provided via keypad
entry, voice-activated entry, or any other convenient form of entry.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment, the step of providing the information is performed by
the smart card, which keeps track of the number of units (minutes) utilized, and when
the use is scheduled. In one embodiment, the smart card could provide the device with
time immediately; in an alternate embodiment, the smart card could provide the device
with time reserved for use in the future. In still another embodiment, the subscriber
utilizing smart card 100 could manually set when the device should become active.
In the preferred embodiment, the device is a subscriber unit 209, 300 utilized in
a cellular radiotelephone system. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate,
however, the concept of transferring information to a device as herein described and
claimed is applicable to any scenario and devices where common information is desired
to be shared.
[0017] FIG. 1 generally depicts a smart card 100 having an internal clock or timer in accordance
with the invention. As depicted in FIG. 1, a microprocessor 103 is coupled to both
a time-of-day clock with a calendar 106 and is also coupled to a memory 109. In the
preferred embodiment, microprocessor 103 is a MC6805 with built in memory 109.
[0018] FIG. 2 generally depicts a smart card 100 utilized to activate a subscriber unit
in accordance with the invention. As depicted in FIG. 2, a swipe card reader 200 having
a swipe slot 203 is utilized to transfer information provided by smart card 100 into
a subscriber unit 209. While many different techniques of information transfer exist,
in the preferred embodiment the smart card 100 transfers a block of units, N, (or
any remaining time, RT) to the subscriber unit 109 for each swipe through swipe slot
203. In other words, if the block of time N is equal to 15 minutes, subscriber unit
109 would receive 15 minutes of usage for each time smart card 100 is swiped through
swipe slot 203. In one embodiment, subscriber unit 209 (or swipe card reader 200)
could display the current time remaining for having the use of the subscriber unit's
identity. Then, if the subscriber is in the middle of a call and recognizes that the
allotted time has almost elapsed, the subscriber could swipe again to increase the
time remaining.
[0019] Also shown in FIG. 2 are function keys 206 residing on swipe card reader 200. An
example of one of the keys would be a "DUMP" key which would manually flush the subscriber's
identity from subscriber unit 209 (this action does not enable smart card 100). This
would be utilized when the subscriber no longer needs the use of subscriber unit 209
and wishes to ensure that no one else may use unit 209. Of course, subscriber unit
would become inactive after the allotted time has elapsed (the same time smart card
100 would reactivate). If a subscriber wished to credit the smart card 100 with any
time remaining, one of keys 206 could be a "CREDIT" key which would be pressed, smart
card 100 swiped through swipe insert 203, and any time remaining on subscriber unit
209 would be transferred back to smart card 100. This feature would in a sense "extract"
back the identity from subscriber unit 209 to the smart card 100, and allow smart
card 100 to be reactivated immediately.if so desired.
[0020] FIG. 3 generally depicts a subscriber unit 300 having an insert slot 300 to accept
smart card 100 having time-of-day clock with calendar in accordance with the invention.
An example of an apparatus for accepting and retaining an smart card can be found
in U.S. Patent No, 5,325,429, having as an inventor Jeffrey F. Kurgan, patented 28
June 1994, having as assignee the assignee of the present invention. In this embodiment,
when smart card 100 is inserted into subscriber unit 300 via slot 303, the subscriber
unit itself might ask for the length of time the device is to hold the subscriber
unit's identity. When prompted as such, a subscriber could then insert the number
of minutes through the keypad (not shown) on the front of subscriber unit 300. The
protocol between the subscriber unit and the smart card 100 would then negotiate the
proper transfer of time. For the duration that the subscriber has requested, the subscriber
unit 300 would be enabled with the subscriber unit's identity, while the smart card
100 would essentially "go dumb" until that duration has elapsed.
[0021] Important to note is that any negotiated activation time need not be immediate, nor
necessarily contiguous. For example, a subscriber may program a subscriber unit to
go active for a certain period (or periods) in the future. At the programmed starting
times, the subscriber unit 300 would be enabled, and the smart card 100 would inactivate
for the programmed duration of time. While the embodiments described in FIG. 2 and
FIG. 3 have the programming via the subscriber unit 209 and 300, these embodiments
are purely for convenience as each subscriber unit 209, 300 have keypad entry means
built therein. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the complexity
of the subscriber units 209, 300 can be lessened if the smart card itself is capable
of being programmed via a keypad on the smart card 100 itself, so that no programming
via the subscriber units 209, 300 need take place.
[0022] FIG. 4 generally depicts, in flow diagram form, the steps a subscriber would undergo
to activate a subscriber unit 209 in the swipe configuration shown in FIG. 2. The
process starts at block 403 where a check is made to determine if the device is active.
If no, a check 406 is made to determine if a swipe has been registered. If a swipe
has been registered, a check 409 is made to determine if the swipe is for a debit
or a credit 409. A request for a debit or a credit would be made by the subscriber
via a "DEBIT" or "CREDIT" key via keys 206. Continuing, if the request is for a debit
(i.e., the subscriber wishes to extract the user identity from smart card 100 into
subscriber unit 209), a check 412 is made to determine the time available on smart
card 100. If time is available, the device is activated 415, at time Tx (the current
time) with N units of time (where N may be predetermined or input by the subscriber)
or with any remaining time (RT) remaining on smart card 100. After the device has
been activated, the smart card 100 is debited 418 by the N units of time or the remaining
time (RT). The process then goes back to block 403 where a check to determine if the
device is active is made.
[0023] If at block 403 the device is determined to be active, a check is made at block 421
to determine if the current time (CT) is less than Tx + N or less than Tx + RT. In
other words, a check is made to determine if the N units or the RT remaining time
has expired. If the current time is greater than the N units or RT remaining time,
the allotted time has expired and process proceeds to block 422 which deactivates
the device. At this point, block 403 is repeated. If, however, the allotted time has
not expired at block 421, a check 424 is made to determine if the subscriber wishes
to deactivate the device. If yes, the process proceeds to block 422 where the device
is deactivated. If the subscriber does not wish to deactivate the device, a check
406 is made to determine if another swipe has been registered and flow proceeds as
described above. Finally, if the request 409 is for a credit, process proceeds to
block 410 where the smart card is credited with any remaining time. Process then proceeds
to deactivate device at 412 and again the entire process is initiated at block 403
to determine whether the device is active.
[0024] FIG. 5 generally depicts, in flow diagram form, the steps taken by a subscriber to
activate the device of FIG. 3 in accordance with the invention. The process starts
at block 503 where a check is made to determine if the device is active. If no, a
check is made 506 to determine if the smart card is inserted in the device. In the
preferred embodiment, the device is a subscriber unit as depicted in FIG. 3, but may
be any communication unit suitable for use with smart card 100. Continuing, if the
smart card is inserted in the device, a check is made 509 to determine if the subscriber
requests a debit or credit. If the request if for a debit (i.e., the subscriber wishes
to extract the user identity from smart card 100 and input that identity into subscriber
unit 300), the future time (Tf) is set in a request for M units of time is made at
block 512. A check is then made 515 to determine if time is available on smart card
100. If no time is available, the process proceeds to block 503. If time is available
on smart card 100, smart card 100 is debited by the M units of time or RT remaining
units of time at block 518. Process then proceeds to block 521 where a check is made
to determine if the current time (CT) is equal to the future time (Tf) that was set
at block 512. Future time (Tf) may represent the current time (CT) or may represent
a time that is programmed for future use. Consequently, if the current time does not
equal the future time (Tf), process proceeds to block 503. On the contrary, if the
current time is equal to the future time (Tf), (i.e., future time being the programmed
time), the device is activated 524 with M units of time or RT remaining units of time,
whichever was debited at block 518.
[0025] At this point, the device is active and as such, needs to be monitored for expiration
of the elapsable time. Consequently, after the device is activated at block 524, and
if the device is active at block 503, a check is made to determine if the current
time is less than Tf + M or if the current time is less than Tf + RT. If yes, the
device is still active and process proceeds to block 530 where a check is made to
determine if the subscriber wishes to deactivate the device. If no, process proceeds
to block 506 where a check is made to determine if the smart card 100 is inserted
in the device. At this point, if the smart card 100 is not inserted in the device
300, process proceeds to block 539 where check is made to determine if there is an
external stimulus to erase the future time. The external stimulus may be affected
through a subscriber input via the keypad of device 300, but may likewise be a stimulus
from a base-station (not shown) of the cellular radiotelephone system. Continuing,
if no external stimulus is present, process proceeds to block 521 as described above.
If there is an external stimulus to erase the future time, process proceeds to block
533 where the device is entirely deactivated. Deactivation of the device erases the
future time that had been previously stored in device 300.
[0026] Returning to block 527, if the current time is greater than Tf + M or is greater
than Tf + RT, the elapsable time has elapsed and the device must now be deactivated.
Consequently, process then proceeds to block 533 where the device is deactivated.
If, at block 509, the request is for a credit of time, process from block 509 proceeds
to block 536 where the smart card 100 is credited with any remaining time RT unused
by the subscriber for this programming period. At this point, process proceeds to
block 533 where the device is deactivated. Output from block 533 proceeds to block
503 where, a check is made to determine if the device is active and the entire process
is repeated.
[0027] FIG. 6 depicts a beneficial implementation of smart card 100 with time-of-day clock
and calendar 106 in accordance with the invention. As shown in FIG. 6, information
related to a subscriber unit's identity is supplied to a plurality of subscriber units
600, 603. Smart card 100 provides the identity information to a first subscriber unit
600. The information may be provided to subscriber unit 600 for a first time period,
which may be any time period desirable by the subscriber. Smart card 100 is then inserted
into a second subscriber unit 603 so that the identity information may be supplied
to subscriber unit 603 for a time period not common with the first time period. In
other words, once subscriber unit 600 has been programmed for the first time period,
subscriber unit 603 may be programmed for any other time period so long as that programmed
time period does not overlap with the first time period programmed into first subscriber
unit 600.
[0028] While two subscriber units have been depicted in FIG. 6, more than two may obviously
be programmed at any one time. The only requirement in programming more than two subscriber
units is that no time overlap during programming may exist. Smart card 100 ensures
that programming overlap does not occur by keeping track of all programmed time, and
not allowing any time overlap to occur. In other words, if a second subscriber unit
attempted to program for time which overlapped with time programmed in a first subscriber
unit, smart card 100 could be setup so that either, inter alia, no programming is
allowed or programming for non-overlapping time is only allowed. With the cooperation
of the cellular system operators, it might be desirable and possible to introduce
a capability whereby a restricted subscriber unit could place an emergency call.
[0029] There may be the need to provide some guard or buffer time in the transfer of ownership
of the user identity. This would avoid any problem with clock drifting or allowing
any cellular system fraud detection mechanism from tripping, for example, by its noticing
that a user skips across town in a matter of seconds. Limitations would also have
to be in place to prevent a user from tampering with the time-of-day dock and calendar.
[0030] After an identity transfer occurs, it might be useful for the newly enabled radio
to register on the system. This would ensure that the system becomes aware of the
new location of the active user. An audible beep might warn a user that he about to
lose the ownership of the radio's identity and therefore, that his radio is about
to become inoperative.
[0031] Direct electrical connection is not necessary during the programming of the multiple
units. For example, it might be desirable to be able to program the two subscriber
units using a phone modem connection. In fact, it is even possible for one of the
subscriber units (obviously the one that "owns" the subscriber identity) to be operating
over the cellular system during the programming process. All that is necessary is
to incorporate adequate security measures such that properly negotiated assignment
of operating periods is accomplished. These techniques are fairly well known in the
public key literature, including authentication mechanisms, random challenges, and
signature verification. For example, a verification algorithm might be utilized to
validate acceptance of the assigned times by all the other unit(s) during the time
the programming is being negotiated/accomplished. The programming procedure might
also include some status setting or checking between the plurality of units, for example,
to ensure synchronization of the on-board calendars and clocks. Enough security is
possible to guarantee that the simultaneity criterion is unable to be obviated. To
prevent fraud, a unique group key might be useful to embed in the subscriber units
of a group so that the subscriber unit's electronic serial number (ESN) and phone
number are only exchanged between members of the same group.
[0032] It may be desirable for the subscriber units 600, 603 to obtain time-of-day information
from the infrastructure. This could be received on the control channel when the subscriber
unit powers up, and the subscriber unit could keep time thereafter.
[0033] As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, many variations of the present
invention are available. For example, a plurality of devices may share information
amongst themselves by negotiating information for use during a predetermined time
period from a source device and negotiating, from the source device, the same information
for use during a time period non-overlapping with the predetermined period of time.
The source device in this embodiment may comprise a smart card with/without a time-of-day
clock and calendar, or any other convenient method of transfer.
1. A smart card (100), comprising:
a microprocessor (103);
a memory (109) coupled to the microprocessor; and
characterized in that it includes a time device (106), wherein the microprocessor is arranged to control
operation of the smart card to transfer a subscriber unit identity stored in the smart
card to a communication device for a time period negotiated by the microprocessor,
to automatically prevent the subscriber unit identity from being available from the
smart card for use by another device during the negotiated time period, and to permit
transfer of the subscriber identity to another device during other time periods, whereby
the microprocessor is arranged to automatically prevent transfer of the subscriber
unit identity to the other device for use during the negotiated time period such that
the subscriber unit identity is automatically made available for transfer from the
smart card for use at times other than the negotiated time period.
2. The smart card as defined in claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is arranged to automatically
control the smart card to be unable to transfer the subscriber unit identity at the
beginning of the negotiated time period and to automatically reactivate the smart
card to enable transfer of the subscriber unit identity at the end of the negotiated
time period.
3. The smart card as defined in claim 1, wherein the time device is arranged to provide
time and date information, and the microprocessor is arranged to transfer the subscriber
unit identity to a second device for use by the second device at a negotiated time
on a particular date, and the microprocessor is further arranged to automatically
prevent subscriber unit identity availability during said negotiated time on said
particular date.
4. The smart card as defined in claim 3, wherein the smart card is arranged to store
a plurality of negotiated time periods during which the subscriber unit identity will
not be able to transfer the subscriber unit identity.
5. The smart card as defined in claim 3, wherein the time device is a time and date clock.
6. Apparatus comprising a portable radio frequency communication device (200, 300, 600,
603) and a smart card (100),
the portable radio frequency communication device comprising a card reader (203,
303) and storing a subscriber unit identity; and
the smart card comprising a microprocessor (103), a memory (109) and characterized in that in includes a time device (106), the microprocessor comprising means for transferring
a subscriber unit identity to the portable radio frequency device for a time period
negotiated between the portable radio frequency device and the microprocessor;
wherein the smart card is arranged to deactivate subscriber unit identity availability
during the negotiated time period and allow availability for use during other time
periods, and the portable communication device is arranged to adopt the subscriber
unit identity at the beginning of the negotiated time period and delete the subscriber
unit identity upon the termination of the negotiated time period, whereby the portable
radio communication device is arranged to operate with the subscriber unit identity
when the smart card is removed therefrom during the negotiated time period and the
subscriber unit identity is available for a plurality of devices only one device at
a time.
7. A method of temporarily transferring a subscriber unit identity from a smart card
to a communication device for a predetermined time period, the method
characterized in that it comprises the step of:
transferring (410, 536) the subscriber unit identity from the smart card to the communication
device for a determined time period, the smart card is arranged to be removed from
the communication device during the determined time period without the communication
device losing the subscriber unit identity during the determined time period and the
subscriber unit identity is available for a plurality of devices only one device at
a time.
8. The method as defined in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:
automatically preventing (412, 515) availability of the subscriber unit identity of
the smart card for use by an other device during the determined time period and automatically
allowing availability after the determined time period; and
deleting (422, 533) the subscriber unit identity from the communication device at
the end of the determined time period.
9. The method as defined in claim 7, further including the steps of disabling availability
of the subscriber unit identity from the smart card at the beginning of the determined
time period and automatically reactivating the subscriber unit identity availability
in the smart card at the end of the determined time period.
1. Smart Card (100), die umfasst:
einen Mikroprozessor (103);
einen an den Mikroprozessor gekoppelten Speicher (109);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Zeitvorrichtung (106) umfasst, wobei der Mikroprozessor dazu ausgelegt ist,
den Betrieb der Smart Card zu steuern, um eine in der Smart Card gespeicherte Kennung
einer Teilnehmereinheit an eine Kommunikationsvorrichtung für eine durch den Mikroprozessor
ausgehandelte Zeitperiode zu überführen, um automatisch zu verhindern, dass die Kennung
der Teilnehmereinheit von der Smart Card für eine Verwendung durch eine andere Vorrichtung
während der ausgehandelten Zeitperiode verfügbar ist, und um eine Überführung der
Teilnehmerkennung an eine andere Vorrichtung während anderer Zeitperioden zuzulassen,
wobei der Mikroprozessor dazu ausgelegt ist, eine Überführung der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
an die andere Vorrichtung für eine Verwendung während der ausgehandelten Zeitperiode
automatisch zu verhindern, so dass die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit für eine Überführung
von der Smart Card für eine Verwendung zu anderen Zeiten als der ausgehandelten Zeitperiode
automatisch zur Verfügung gestellt wird.
2. Smart Card gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Mikroprozessor dazu ausgelegt ist, die Smart
Card automatisch derart zu steuern, dass sie nicht in der Lage ist, die Kennung der
Teilnehmereinheit am Anfang der ausgehandelten Zeitperiode zu überführen, und die
Smart Card automatisch neu zu aktivieren, um eine Überführung der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
am Ende der ausgehandelten Zeitperiode freizugeben.
3. Smart Card gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Zeitvorrichtung dazu ausgelegt ist, Zeit- und
Datumsinformationen zur Verfügung zu stellen, und der Mikroprozessor dazu ausgelegt
ist, die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit an eine zweite Vorrichtung für eine Verwendung
durch die zweite Vorrichtung zu einer ausgehandelten Zeit an einem bestimmten Datum
zu überführen, und der Mikroprozessor weiterhin dazu ausgelegt ist, eine Verfügbarkeit
einer Teilnehmereinheit während der ausgehandelten Zeit zu dem bestimmten Datum automatisch
zu verhindern.
4. Smart Card gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei die Smart Card dazu ausgelegt ist, eine Mehrzahl
von ausgehandelten Zeitperioden zu speichern, während der die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
nicht in der Lage ist, die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit zu überführen.
5. Smart Card gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei die Zeitvorrichtung eine Zeit- und Datumsuhr ist.
6. Vorrichtung, die eine tragbare Radiofrequenzkommunikationsvorrichtung (200, 300, 600,
603) und eine Smart Card (100) umfasst,
wobei die tragbare Radiofrequenzkommunikationsvorrichtung einen Kartenleser (203,
303) umfasst und eine Kennung einer Teilnehmereinheit speichert; und
wobei die Smart Card einen Mikroprozessor (103) und einen Speicher (109) umfasst
und dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass sie eine Zeitvorrichtung (106) umfasst, wobei der Mikroprozessor Mittel zum Überführen
einer Kennung einer Teilnehmereinheit an die tragbare Radiofrequenzvorrichtung für
eine zwischen der tragbaren Radiofrequenzvorrichtung und dem Mikroprozessor ausgehandelte
Zeitperiode umfasst;
wobei die Smart Card dazu ausgelegt ist, eine Verfügbarkeit der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
während der ausgehandelten Zeitperiode zu deaktivieren und für eine Verwendung während
anderer Zeitperioden eine Verfügbarkeit zuzulassen, und wobei die tragbare Kommunikationsvorrichtung
dazu ausgelegt ist, die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit am Anfang der ausgehandelten
Zeitperiode zu akzeptieren und die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit nach der Beendigung
der verhandelten Zeitperiode zu löschen, wodurch die tragbare Funkkommunikationsvorrichtung
dazu ausgelegt ist, mit der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit zu arbeiten, wenn die Smart
Card während der ausgehandelten Zeitperiode von ihr entfernt wird, und wobei die Kennung
der Teilnehmereinheit einer Mehrzahl von Vorrichtungen zur Verfügung steht, jedoch
nur einer Vorrichtung zur Zeit.
7. Verfahren zum vorübergehenden Überführen einer Kennung einer Teilnehmereinheit von
einer Smart Card an eine Kommunikationsvorrichtung für eine vorbestimmte Zeitperiode,
wobei das Verfahren
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass es die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Überführen (410, 536) der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit von der Smart Card an die
Kommunikationsvorrichtung für eine bestimmte Zeitperiode, wobei die Smart Card dazu
ausgelegt ist, von der Kommunikationsvorrichtung während der vorbestimmten Zeitperiode
entfernt zu werden, ohne dass die Kommunikationsvorrichtung die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
während der bestimmten Zeitperiode verliert, und die Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
einer Mehrzahl von Vorrichtungen zur Verfügung steht, jedoch nur einer Vorrichtung
zur Zeit.
8. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 7, das weiterhin die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
automatisches Verhindern (412, 515) einer Verfügbarkeit der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
der Smart Card für eine Verwendung durch eine andere Vorrichtung während der bestimmten
Zeitperiode und automatisches Zulassen einer Verfügbarkeit nach der bestimmten Zeitperiode;
und
Löschen (422, 533) der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit von der Kommunikationsvorrichtung
am Ende der bestimmten Zeitperiode.
9. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 7, das weiterhin die Schritte eines Sperrens einer Verfügbarkeit
der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit von der Smart Card am Anfang der bestimmten Zeitperiode
und eines automatischen Neuaktivierens der Verfügbarkeit der Kennung der Teilnehmereinheit
in der Smart Card am Ende der bestimmten Zeitperiode umfasst.
1. Carte à puce (100), comprenant :
un microprocesseur (103) ;
une mémoire (109) couplée au microprocesseur ; et
caractérisée en ce qu'elle inclut un dispositif temporel (106), dans laquelle le microprocesseur est disposé
pour contrôler l'opération de la carte à puce pour transférer une identité d'unité
d'abonné stockée dans la carte à puce à un dispositif de communication pendant une
période de temps négociée par le microprocesseur, pour empêcher automatiquement l'identité
d'unité d'abonné d'être disponible depuis la carte à puce pour une utilisation par
un autre dispositif durant la période de temps négociée, et pour permettre le transfert
de l'identité d'abonné à un autre dispositif durant d'autres périodes de temps, moyennant
quoi le microprocesseur est disposé pour empêcher automatiquement le transfert de
l'identité d'unité d'abonné à l'autre dispositif pour une utilisation durant la période
de temps négociée de sorte que l'identité d'unité d'abonné soit automatiquement rendue
disponible pour le transfert depuis la carte à puce pour une utilisation à des moments
autres que la période de temps négociée.
2. Carte à puce telle que définie dans la revendication 1, dans laquelle le microprocesseur
est disposé pour contrôler automatiquement la carte à puce pour qu'elle soit dans
l'incapacité de transférer l'identité d'unité d'abonné au début de la période de temps
négociée et pour réactiver automatiquement la carte à puce pour permettre le transfert
de l'identité d'unité d'abonné à la fin de la période de temps négociée.
3. Carte à puce telle que définie dans la revendication 1, dans laquelle le dispositif
temporel est disposé pour fournir des informations d'heure et de date, et le microprocesseur
est disposé pour transférer l'identité d'unité d'abonné à un second dispositif pour
une utilisation par le second dispositif à un temps négocié à une date particulière,
et le microprocesseur est en outre disposé pour empêcher automatiquement la disponibilité
de l'identité d'unité d'abonné durant ledit temps négocié à ladite date particulière.
4. Carte à puce telle que définie dans la revendication 3, dans laquelle la carte à puce
est disposée pour stocker une pluralité de périodes de temps négociées durant lesquelles
l'identité d'unité d'abonné ne pourra pas transférer l'identité d'unité d'abonné.
5. Carte à puce telle que définie dans la revendication 3, dans laquelle le dispositif
temporel est une horloge indiquant l'heure et la date.
6. Appareil comprenant un dispositif de communication radiofréquence portable (200, 300,
600, 603) et une carte à puce (100),
le dispositif de communication radiofréquence portable comprenant un lecteur de
cartes (203, 303) et stockant une identité d'unité d'abonné ; et
la carte à puce comprenant un microprocesseur (103), une mémoire (109) et caractérisée en ce qu'elle inclut un dispositif temporel (106), le microprocesseur comprenant un moyen pour
transférer une identité d'unité d'abonné au dispositif radiofréquence portable pendant
une période de temps négociée entre le dispositif radiofréquence portable et le microprocesseur
;
dans lequel la carte à puce est disposée pour désactiver la disponibilité de l'identité
d'unité d'abonné durant la période de temps négociée et permettre la disponibilité
pour une utilisation durant d'autres périodes de temps, et le dispositif de communication
portable est disposé pour adopter l'identité d'unité d'abonné au début de la période
de temps négociée et supprimer l'identité d'unité d'abonné à la fin de la période
de temps négociée, moyennant quoi le dispositif de communication radio portable est
disposé pour fonctionner avec l'identité d'unité d'abonné lorsque la carte à puce
est enlevée de celui-ci durant la période de temps négociée et l'identité d'unité
d'abonné est disponible pour une pluralité de dispositifs seulement un dispositif
à la fois.
7. Procédé consistant à transférer temporairement une identité d'unité d'abonné d'une
carte à puce à un dispositif de communication pendant une période de temps prédéterminée,
le procédé étant
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend l'étape consistant à :
transférer (410, 536) l'identité d'unité d'abonné de la carte à puce au dispositif
de communication pendant une période de temps déterminée, la carte à puce est disposée
pour être enlevée du dispositif de communication durant la période de temps déterminée
sans que le dispositif de communication ne perde l'identité d'unité d'abonné durant
la période de temps déterminée, et l'identité d'unité d'abonné est disponible pour
une pluralité de dispositifs seulement un dispositif à la fois.
8. Procédé tel que défini dans la revendication 7, comprenant en outre les étapes consistant
à :
empêcher automatiquement (412, 515) la disponibilité de l'identité d'unité d'abonné
de la carte à puce pour une utilisation par un autre dispositif durant la période
de temps déterminée et permettre automatiquement la disponibilité après la période
de temps déterminée ; et
supprimer (422, 533) l'identité d'unité d'abonné du dispositif de communication à
la fin de la période de temps déterminée.
9. Procédé tel que défini dans la revendication 7, incluant en outre les étapes consistant
à désactiver la disponibilité de l'identité d'unité d'abonné de la carte à puce au
début de la période de temps déterminée et réactiver automatiquement la disponibilité
de l'identité d'unité d'abonné dans la carte à puce à la fin de la période de temps
déterminée.